Mesalands students earn scholarships to four-year schools

Mesalands Community College students Shelly Giannino and Alex Nielson have been selected to the 2012 All-State New Mexico Academic Team.

This honor recognizes their commit-ment to academic excellence. Each student will receive renewable full-tuition scholarships for up to four consecutive semesters towards a bachelor's degree at a New Mexico public university or college.

"We are very proud of Shelly and Alex. They both are committed to achieving academic excellence and are very involved in this community as members of Phi Theta Kappa," said Mildred Lovato, President of Mesalands Community College. "We wish them future success as they continue their educational goals to acquire a bachelor's degree.

Giannino will be graduating in May with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Mesalands. She says she waited more than 30 years to begin her college career, because she was supporting her family. Giannino says pursuing a college degree was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

"I actually learned to love education at Mesalands," Giannino said. "This college has changed my perception of college and classes immensely. It was an honor to be recognized."

There were 31 students from 18 public institutions named to the team.

"It felt amazing to be recognized," Nielson said. "I felt like I was part of an elite group."

Nielson will be graduating with a degree in liberal arts in May. He is still deciding on which university to attend in the fall, but wants to major in either English or computer science.

Giannino plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in special education from Eastern New Mexico University and has already started the admissions process to start in August.